Phonograph



C. B. DALE PHONOGRAPH April 1, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 15, 1949 April 1, 1952 c. B. DALE 2,591,515

PHONOGRAPH Original Filed Dec. 15, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR.

Y @1122 Z53 Zkzfe April 1, 1952 c. B. DALE 2,591,515

PHONOGRAPH Original Filed Dec. 15, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

Ca/212 ,5? Dale C. B. DALE PHONOGRAPH April 1, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Dec. 15, 1949 April 1, 1952 C. B. DALE PHONOGRAPH Original Filed Dec. 15, 1949 f 1') I'll" (I ///l l/ ////////A/ 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I III 1/ INVENTOR.

April 1, 1952 c. B. DALE 2,591,515

- PHONOGRAPH Original Filed Dec. 15, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 46 mmvrm Patented Apr. 1, 1952 PHONOGRAPH Colin B. Dale, Oak Park, 11]., assignor to Webster- Chicago Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois f Original application December 15, 1949, Serial No.

Divided and this application January 13, 1950, Serial No. 138,473

6 Claims. (Cl. 274-) form of record-changing phonograph in which the various parts of each mechanism are so combined, and the several mechanisms are so coordinated, as to make it very economical to manufacture, simple and positive in control and operation, and highly efiicient in tone reproduction.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of an improved speedaltering, record-changing phonograph embodying this invention, the tone-reproducing arm being in the rest position, and a part of the record being broken away so as to show the record-supporting turntable;

Fig. 2 is a bottom or under side view of the 5 same, the view being reversed 180 degrees from that of Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is an elevational view thereof, a part of the tone arm being broken away so as to more clearly illustrate the arrangement of the counterbalancing weight therefor;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged under side view of the turntable, showing the three tracks of the cam for the tone arm retracting and record-release actuating mechanism, and by arrows diagramming the path of the cam track follower which effects a liftin of the tone arm and its return to, and resetting at, starting position;

Fig. 5is an enlarged plan view of the several operating mechanisms in their normally inoperative positions, as viewed from the plane of line ,55 of Fig. 3, immediately prior to the placing of the tone arm in position for reproducing a record;

Fig.6 which is a view similar to Fig. 5 shows the parts in the positions to which they have shifted incidentally to returning the tone arm to its starting position preparatory to playing a concurrently-released record; 7 Fig. '7 which is an enlarged, cross-sectional, elevational view of the record-releasing mechanism, shows the parts immediately prior to their being shifted to release a record, the view being takenin the plane of line |'l of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the above mechanism in its record-releasing position;

Fig. 9 is a detail view, taken on line 99 of Fig. 8; r

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional plan view of the turntable cam for the tone arm retracting and record-release actuating plate, as viewed from a plane below the top of said turntable, showing the jform of the tracks of the cam and the relative position of the plate immediately prior to shifting thereof to initiate its engagement with the cam track which subsequently effects elevation of the tone arm as it completes playing of the record and causes its return to starting position;

Fig. 11 which is a similar view shows the relative positions of the cam and plate as they begin their engagement to effect return of the tone arm and actuation of the record-releasing mechanism and Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the aforesaid cam and plate, taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 10, showing the record turntable in section,

A phonograph embodying this invention comprises a support A mounting a motor-driven record-supporting turntable B, a reciprocating tone-reproducing arm C, and a record support and release means D wherewith is associated a speed-changing and switch-actuating mechanism E, a tone arm retracting and record-release actuating mechanism F, and a manually operable record-release actuating means G which also serves as a starting means for the phonograph.

Support for the operating mechanism The support A comprises a base 3| in the form .of a plate upon which is arranged all of the mechanism for the present phonograph, including a pltaform 32, a record spindle 33, a tone arm post 34, and a motor 35.

The base 3| herein shown as rectangular is provided with reinforcing flanges 36 alongits lateral edges, and with certain struck-out lugs, fingers, shoulders, and certain openings, as will be noted hereinafter in the descriptions of the several mechanisms. At one corner the base 3| suspends a plate 31 whereto is attached the motor 35. This suspension involves the use of rubber cushions 38 (see Figs. 5 and 6) in order to reduce to a minimum the transmission of motor vibrations to therecord-supporting turntable B. Adjacent this suspension of the motor plate 31, the base plate is depressed, as shown at 39, and recesse'd inorder to better provide for mounting 'of the turntable drive pulley 40 which forms a -on-the-spindle33 (see Figs. '7 and 8).

3 part of the speed-change and switch-control mechanism E.

The platform 32 is in the form of a plate supported in spaced relationship to the base SI by bolts and nuts AI and bushings 4I.I (see Figs. 3, 5 and 6). The platform 32 mounts a tone arm rest 42. The spindle 33 is supported on the base 3I near its middleby a nipple 53 on to which it is secured to the base by a nut 54 (see Figs. 7 and 8).

The post 34 which mounts the tone arm C is rotatably mounted on a U-shaped bracket 45 secured adjacent one corner of the base 3!, and has associated therewith a collar 46 and a bushing 47. The collar 46 is keyed to the post 34 and has headless screws 48 and 49 (see Figs. 5 and 6) which abut the opposite edges of the vertical part of the bracket 45 to limit swinging movement of the tone arm C.

The bushing 41 holds a feeler arm 59 (forming a part of the tone arm'return and record-release actuating mechanism F which is to be described more fully hereinafter) in contact with a friction pad 5I resting on the collar 46, the purpose of which will be explained at a later point.

The motor 35 may be of any type suitable for this purpose. As herein shown, it is attached to the under side of the plate 31 by suitable bolts and nuts 52 (see Figs. 2 and 3) so as to' locate the drive shaft 53 of the motor 35 in position -for contact by the turntable drive pulley 49 (see Figs. 5 and 6). The drive shaft 53 isformed withan enlargement 54 at its upper end, preferably by pressing thereon a short section of a wire spring of suitable diameter and gauge wire.

This enlargement and the shaft directly below provide hubs .of slightly difiering diameters wherewith the turntable drive pulley 40 coacts to operate the turntable B at two clifierent speeds.

The turntable The turntable B is in the form of a flanged casting mounting on its underside a cam'disc 55 -(see Figs. 4, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12). The cam forms a part of the tone arm retracting and record-release actuating mechanism F to' be presently described. In the hub of the disc is fixed a bushing 56 whereby the turntable is journaled A suitable covering of friction material, such as flock, is spread over the top and flange of the turntable B so as to ensure the holding of a record in rotative contact therewith.

The tone arm The tone arm C is in the form of a light metal casting somewhat s-shaped (see Fig. 1) at the forward end of which is mounted a suitable recording stylus (see Fig. 3). At its rear end is hinged a mounting hub 51 and a counterweight 58. .A pin 59 attached to the tone arm C forwardly of the hub 51 coacts with the tone arm return and record-release mechanism F to secure a return to starting position and also a reset of the tone arm C, as will be subsequently explained.

The mounting hub 51 is keyed to a pin 69 which is journaled on a fork 6| attached to a bracket 62 secured to the inner rear end of the tone arm C. To the bracket 62 is hinged at 63 an arm 54 on the outer end of which is secured the counterweight 58, all as indicated in my Patent No. 2,579,175 dated December 18, 1951. A set screw 65 on the hub 51 permits it to be removably keyed to the post 34 so as to turn therewith.

The pin 59 is threaded onto the bracket 62 forwardly of the pivot 63 of the arm 64. It is adapted to be engaged by the tone arm retracting and record-release mechanism F, as will be indicated presently.

The record support and release means A record support and release means D suitable for use with the present tone arm reciprocating mechanismC is fully disclosed in my Patent No. 2,579,175 and comprises the spindle 33 wherein is an axially shiftable control rod 8| connected to the tone arm return and record-release actuating mechanism F. The rod 8| (see Figs. 7 and 8) mounts on its lower end a pair of collars 94 and 95. The collar 94 is secured directly to the rod 8| by a set screw 96, and the collar 95 which is threaded on to the collar 94 is secured in place by a set screw 91. The adjustment of these collars 94 and 95 relative to each other and to the rod 8| permits and insures the correct action of the rod ill to release a record by the tone-arm retracting and record-release actuating mechanism F.

The speed-changing and switch-actuating mechanism The speed-changing and switch-actuating mechanism E comprises the turntable drive pulley 49, a current switch 98, and a crank-shaft 99 mounting a dial I99, whereby the energizing or .de-energizing of the motor 35 is synchronized with the shifting of the pulley .49 into and out of engagement with the motor drive shaft 53 or its hub enlargement 54. The detail structure and functioning of this mechanism is disclosed in my Patent No. 2,579,175 aforesaid.

The tone arm return and record-release actuating mechanism The tone arm return and record-release actuating mechanism F comprises the cam disc 55 on the underside of the turntable .B, a tone arm retracting plate I35, and a record-release shifting means I37. These are respectively actuated by two of the cam tracks formedin the cam disc 55, as will be presently explained, and Wherewith they are brought into engagement by the coaction of a tripper I33 under the influence of the feeler 50 controlled by swinging movement of the tone arm 0.

The cam disc 55, in this particular embodiment, is formed with the hub cam tracks I49 and MI and a ring cam track I42, respectively (see Figs. 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 12), constructed to efi'ect (a) a horizontal movement, (1)) a vertical movement, and (c) a combination vertica1 and horizontal movement. The coaction of these parts with the tripper I38, the record-release shifting means I 31, and the plate I35, accomplish two co-ordinated results: namely, the return of the tone arm C to starting position, after it has completed the reproducing of a record, and the release of a record for subsequentreproduction.

The cam track I49 (see Figs. 4, 10 and 11) which is formed on the periphery of the hub of the cam disc 55 includes a quadrant extension I43 providing shoulders I44 and I45 of which the former constitutes the high point. During each revolution of the turn table B this quadrant extension I43 serves to slightly push back and immobilize the tripper I38 until it is so activated bythe feeler 0, or the manually operable record-release actuating means G, as to positively swing its outer end into the path of the shoulder I45, whereupon the tripper I38 initiates the swing of the tone arm retracting plate I36 and the record-release shifting means I31, as will be explained subsequently.

The cam track MI is formed on the end of the hub of the cam disc 55. It is provided with a gradual incline circumferentially of the hub from a low point I46 to a high point I41 and with a sudden descent from its high point to its low point (see Fig. 4). This cam surface is also inclined radially inwardly and upwardly (see Figs. 7 and 8) for a purpose presently to be explained. Coacting with the record-release shifting means I31, this cam track I4I effects a depression of the rod SI for actuating the record support and release means D.

The cam track I42 is formed by the junction of opposite spirals extending inwardly and gradually inclined axially upwardly from peripheral entrance and exit openings I48 and I49 and crossing each other-at difierent levels substantially opposite the openings I48 and I49, so as to constitute inner and outer portions I42.I and I42.'2 which over-pass and under-pass each other at I50 (see Figs. 4, 10, and 11.)

A section I5I of the cam disc 55, at the point I50 of the overand under-passing of the cam track portions I42.I and M22, is hinged at I52 so that it may be retracted to permit a cam follower on the tone arm retracting plate I36 (after traversing the inner portion I42.2) to retract said section I5! and follow the underpass approach to the outer track portion I42.I. A leaf spring I53 which is anchored at I54 normally shifts the section I5I to align its inner end with the inner track portion I42.2.

The tone arm actuating plate I36 is substanthrough the points of contact of the embossments I56 on the base 3| and a contiguous groove I63.I disposed radially of the plate pivot. A lug I58 on the arm I36 also contacts the base 3I and coacts with the embossments I56 to provide for this combination shifting and tilting movement of the plate I36 on the base 3|.

The .pin I51 extends through an aperture in the plate I36 slightly larger than the diameter of the pin I51 so as to permit the tilting action and'the swinging movement just described A spring I59 interposed between the plate I36 and a washer I60 on the pin I51 normally holds the plate I36 with the embossments I56 and the lug I58 in contact with the base 3|, and yieldingly resists the vertical tilting of the plate I36.

Secured at one end of the plate I36'i's a cam track follower pin NH and at the opposite end of this plate is formed an integral arcuate shaped extending arm I62 formed intermediately of its ends with a transverse ledge I63. This arcuate arm I62 is adapted to engage the pin 59 to elevate the tone arm C and return it to its starting position, as a result of the cam follower pin 'I6I being brought into engagement with the cam track I52, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

A spring I64 (see Figs. 3, 5, and 6) urges the plate I36 toward its normal or retracted position (see Fig. 5), as limited by stops I65 and I65.I. The spring I 64 has one end attached to a lug I66 struck out from the plate I36 and extending down through a slot in the base 3I (see dotted outline of slot in Fig. 6). The other end'of the spring I64 is connected to an ear I61 on the end or one of a pair of lugs I68 struck out from the base 3I-, forming a support for the record-release shifting means I31, presently to be described.

The stop I65 is in the form of a finger struck down from the edge of the plate I36 and extending through an opening I69 (formed by the striking out of the adjacent lug I68 from the base 3|) and abuts a shoulder I10 (see Figs. Sand 6) jutting into said opening I69. The stop I65.I is an angle piece having one leg secured to the base 3I so that its upright leg is contacted by the edge of the plate I36 practically simultaneously with the contact of the finger I65 against the shoulder I10.

The record-release shifting means I31 (see Figs.

7 and 8) comprises a rocker arm I1I, a detent I12, and a detent-tipping and trigger-restoring finger I13. The rocker arm I1I is pivoted at I14 between the pairs of lugs I68 and rests upon a spring I15 (see Fig. 9) which is supported on the collar 95. Normally the arm IN is held by the tension of a spring (not shown) with the angularly disposed end I16 abutting the bottom of the base 3I. Y The detent I12 is pivoted at I11 to the arm I1I with the outer end of the arm Ill extending through a slot I13 in the detent I12 (see Figs. 7 and 8). At its upper end the detent I12 mounts a roller I19. The periphery of the roller is tapered to conform to the inward and upward inclination of the cam track IN. This insures the roller I19 remaining in contact with the cam track during the rotation of the turntable B for effecting the retraction of the fingers 15 and the consequent release of a record B. At its lower end the detent I12 is provided with an extension which serves as a counterweight I and tends normally to tilt the detent I12 back out of the path of the cam track MI and against a shoulder- IM (see Fig. 5) formed on the base 3|. The disposition of this shoulder'IBI may optionally be altered so that it will arrest retraction of the detent I12 to locate the roller I19 at the desired distance away from the cam track I4I.

The detent-tipping and trigger-restoring finger I13 is in the nature of a small bell crank lever pivoted at I82 on the under side of the plate I36 adjacent the cam follower pin I6I (see Figs. 5, 6, l0, and 11). The finger I13 is disposed by a spring I83 so that shoulders I84 and I'84.I respectively contact the detent I12 and the tripper I38. When the plate I36 initiates its inward swinging movement, the shoulder I84 shifts the detent [12inwardly against the action of the counterweight I80 to engage the cam roller I19 with the cam track I4I. As the'plate I36 completes its inward swinging movement, the shoulder I84.I contacts the tripper and restores it to its normal position. The spring I83 is fastened at one end to a lug I65 on the plate I36 and a lug I86 on the finger I13. g

A lug I81 struck up from the finger I13 extends through an aperture I88 in the plate I36 and limits the swinging movement of the finger I13 on its pivot I82. Asecond lug I89, struck down from the tipping finger I13, moves in a slot I90 in the base 3I. The lug I89 is so positioned as to pass over the ledge I9I incident to the plate I36 being swung on the pivot pin I51 to enter the cam follower pin IBI into the opening I48 of the cam track I42, and concurrently shift the detent I12 to engage the roller I19 with the cam track I4I, whereupon the tipping'finger I13 is shifted on its pivot I82 to disengage the shoulder I84 from contact with the detent I12 (see Fig. 6), the cam roller I19 meanwhile having been retentively engaged by the cam track I4 I'.

The tripper I38 is in the nature of a bell crank lever pivoted atI92 on the base 3| and is formed with a V-shaped cam I93 at one end for contacting the cam track I40, and with a cam shoulder I94 at the other end for contacting a cam surface I95 on the tone arm retracting plate I36 (see Fig. 5). The tripper I38 also mounts a finger I96 which is adapted to coact with the feeler 50 to effect an initial shifting of the plate I36 a sufficient distance to engage the cam track follower I6I with the cam track I42.

The tripper I38 is normally positioned, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 10, with the cam surface I95 against the cam shoulder I94, so long as the plate I36 is in its normally retracted position, and with the face I93.I of the cam I93 contactable by the outer periphery of the quadrant section I43 of the cam track I40. However, the pivot of the tripper I38 is such that the point of the cam I93 can traverse a radius inwardly of the depressed surface of the cam track I40. Thus, if at any time, when it is not contacted by the face of the quadrant I43, the tripper I38 is shifted to locate the tip of the cam I93 in the path of the shoulder I45, said tripper will be swung on its axis and cause a swinging of the plate I36 for the purpose above mentioned.

The feeler 50 is in the form of an angularly shaped, light metal arm swingably supported on the tone arm post 34. Its function is to swing the tripper I38 so as to move the cam I93 into the path of the cam shoulder I45 when said cam is not immobilized by reason of its contact with the cam quadrant I43. The feeler 50 is positioned between the bushing 44 and the friction pad 5I resting on the collar 46. Thus, as the tone arm C swings back and forth, it causes a rotation of the friction pad 5| and, by reason of the weight of the bushing 41, causes the finger 50 to move with the tone arm. However, if in its swinging movement the feeler 50 strikes an obstruction which cannot yield to the friction contact of the feeler with the tone arm C as, for example, the tripper I36 when held inactive by the cam quadrant 43, the continued movement of the tone arm C will cease to affect the movement of the feeler 50. The feeler 50 is of such a length that its outer end is in the path of the finger I95 when the tone arm moves toward the inner limit of its swing in response to tracking of its stylus in a record R. Shoulders I91 are formed on the base of the feeler 50 and spaced apart circumferentially so that their contact with the edges of the bracket 45 limit the opposite swinging of the feeler 50.

The manually operable record-release actuating means The manually operable record-release actuating means G (see Figs. 1, and 6) comprises a right angle bell crank lever I98 mounted on one of its arms a locking pawl I99 and coacting therewith to permit the tripper I38 to be actuated to effect a releas of a record R at any time. If

III]

the tripper I38 is not immobilized, the release of a record will be immediate with a shifting of the lever I98. If, however, the tripper I38 is immobilized, the bell crank lever I98 will b retained in tripper-acting position by the pawl I99 until the tripper I38 has been freed, whereupon the lever I98 will be instantly actuated to effect a release of a record. The detail arrangement and functioning of these parts is fully set forth in my Patent No. 2,579,175 aforesaid.

Operation The operation of this improved phonograph insofar as it relates to the tone arm return and record-release actuating mechanism is as follows:

Let it be assumed that a stack of records R has been placed on the spindle 33 and that the dial I00 is in the off position, as shown in Fig. 5. In this position the switch 98 is open so that there is no current flowing to the motor, and the lever I01 is consequently in an intermediate position which locates the pulley 40 in contact with the off post II4 (see Fig. 5).

Since none of the mechanisms will operate until the turntable B is rotating, the first step will be to turn the dial I00 from the off position to either the 33 or 45 position. Such a turn ing of the dial will cause the cams I22 and I23 to simultaneously swing and shift the lever I01 and the slide II1 (see Figs. 5, and 6). The horizontal swinging of the lever I01 on the pin I08 and its simultaneous vertical shifting thereon moves the pulley 40 to bring the friction ring I02 into contact with either the motor post 53 or its enlarged hub part 54 and the friction ring I04 into contact with the inner face of the turntable flange. Whether the pulley 40 engages the motor post 53 of hub 54 depends upon whether the shift of the dial I00 is to the left or the right, as viewed from Fig. 3. The shift of the dial I00 to the left would result in the turntable B operating at 33 R. P. M.; the shift to the right would result in its operating at 45 R. P. M.

The simultaneous shifting of th slide I I1 by action of the crank I23 would close the switch 98 and thus energize the motor 35, the dial I00 having been shifted to secure the operation of the turntable B at either of the aforesaid speeds.

In order to position a record on the turntable B for sound reproduction, the button 205 is shifted to the left, as viewed from Figs. 5 and 6. This actuates the lever I98 so as to swing the pin 208 into contact with the tripper I38. If, perchance, at the instant of such shifting of the lever I99, the cam surface I93.I of the cam I93 of the tripper I38 should be in contact with the cam quadrant I43 (see Fig. 10), the tripper I 38 would be immobilized. In such circumstances the lever I 98 would not move on its pivot 200. However, the pawl I99 would swing and shift on the pin 204 so as to bring the shoulder 205 into engagement with the shoulder 201, and in this position the parts would be held by the spring 2 I0 during the period of temporary immobilization of the tripper I38.

As soon as the turntable 13 moves the shoulder I44 beyond the point of the cam I93 of the tripper I 38, the tripper I38 is swung on its pivot I92 into the position to be engaged by the cam shoulder 45. Thereupon the continued rotation of the turntable B causes the cam shoulder I45 to further shift the tripper I38 sufficiently to cause the cam shoulder I94, bearing against the cam shoulder I on the plate I36, to swing the plate I36 horizontally on the pin I51 so as to move the cam track follower I6I into position to be engaged by the cam track I42 through the opening I48 (see Fig. 11). This initial swinging of the plate I36 moves the finger II3 to contact the shoulder I84 with the detent II2 (see Fig. 5). Thereupon the detent I12 is caused to tilt on its axis I" to bring the cam roller I'I9 into retained engagement with the cam track I4I (see Fig. 8). As a consequence, continued rotation of the turntable B depresses the lever I'II against the action of the spring I15 and exerts a downward pull on the rod 8|. As an incident to this operation, when the cam track follower I6I is picked up by the cam track I42, a further movement of the plate I36 disengages the shoulder I84 of the finger I13 from contact with the detent I12, as most clearly appears in Fig. 5.

Downward pull on the rod 8i results in the lowermost record R being released for gravity descent onto the turntable B in the manner set forth in my Patent No. 2,579,175 aforesaid.

As the turntable B completes one revolution, following engagement of the cam roller I'I9 with the cam track I4I, the roller I19 is released and the rod 8| acts to elevate the lever Ill, and the counterweight I89 simultaneously swings the detent I'I2 into the retracted position shown in Fi 7.

In a manner that will be explained later, the plate I36, during its inward and return swinging movement to effect release of a record, will lift the tone arm C from its rest 42 and set it in position for the stylus to engage the pick-up groove on the outer edge of the record. As the tone arm swings into playing position in response to tracking of the stylus on the counterweight 53 becomes effective to counterbalance th weight of the forward end of the tone arm C so as to lighten the pressure of the stylus on the record.

As the tone arm stylus completes its traverse of the recording grooves and follows the rapidly decreasing spiral inwardly of the recording grooves, the feeler 59 which has been swinging concurrently with the tone arm C comes into contact with the finger I96 on the tripper I38. If the surface I93.I of the cam I93 of th tripper I38 is in contact with the cam quadrant I43, as shown in Fig. 10, the feeler 59 momentarily will be ineffective to swing the tripper I38 on its pivot I92. However, by reason of the frictional engagement of the feeler 56 with the tone arm collar 46, the tone arm C will continue its inward swing, thus holding the feeler 50 in contact with the finger I96 until the tripper I38 has been released from the cam quadrant I43. Thereupon the subsequent engagement of the tripper cam I93 by the shoulder I45 will cause the tripper I39 to initiate a swinging of the plate I36 as hereinbefore explained in connection with actuation of the mechanism G. If, on the other hand, the feeler 50 contacts the finger I56 of the tripper I38 when it is not immobilized by the cam quadrant I43, the tripper I38 will be immediately swung on its pivot I92 to bring the cam end I93 into the path of the shoulder I45. Thereupon the tripper I38 will be actuated to initiate a swinging of the plate I36, as hereinbefore explained, to enter the cam track follower I 6I into the opening I49 to the cam track As the turntable B continues its rotation, the cam track follower I6I on the lever I36 follows the path indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4 which is an under side view of the turntable cam 55. From this figure it will be noted that the cam track follower I6I, after about a half revolution of the turntable B, begins to move spirally inwardly to the inner portion I42.2 of the cam track I42. As the follower I6I completes its inward travel the shoulder I84.I on the lever I'I3 contacts the tripper I38 and restores it to its normal position preparatory to its subsequent activation to again initiate a shifting of the plate I36 to engage the follower I6I with the cam track I42. After the cam track follower I6I has completed approximately a full revolution of the turntable cam 55, the follower IBI begins to move spirally outwardly into the outer portion I42.I of the cam track I42 toward the discharge opening I49.

During this traversing of the cam track I42 the cam track follower I6I is also being gradually depressed. At the high point of its depression the cam track follower I6I is traversing that portion of the cam track I42 formed in the shiftable section I5I. As the cam track follower I6I approaches the end of its travel in the inner portion I 42.2 of the cam track I42, the follower I6I retracts the cam track section I5I so as to permit the cam track follower I6I to move through the underpass and out into the outer portion I42.I leading to the exit I49.

The depression of the cam track follower I6I by the high point of the cam track I42 causes a rocking of the plate I36 on the embossments I56 and elevates the extension I62 so as to'contact the pin 59 of the tone arm C. As a result, the tone arm is tilted to move the stylus out of contact with the record. As the cam track follower I6I moves through the second half of the inner cam track portion I422, and approaches the section I5I, the plate I36 is swung in a horizontal plane on the pin I 51. This results in bringing the ledge I63 on the extension I62 in contact with the pin 59 on the tone arm 0. As this extension is moved outwardly, the pin 59 is moved into contact with the ledge I63 and becomes seated in the groove I63.I. As a consequence the tone arm is shifted outwardly toward its starting position, and with the return inward movement of the extension I62 the tone arm is swung into a position for lowering the stylus into contact with the pickup groove in the record when the extension is retracted from its contact with the pin 59. The elevation of the tone arm C, incident to its being returned to starting position, swings the rear end of the tone arm downwardly and brings the finger I3 into contact with the hub 51.

The weight 58 is consequently rendered inactive as a counterbalance for the tone arm C, with the result that the full weight of the tone arm, forwardly of the hinge pin 69, holds the pin 59 in firm contact with the plate extension I62.

As already explained, the initial inward movement of the plate I36 causes the finger I I3 to shift the detent NZ to move the cam roller I'I9 into contact with the cam track I4I. Hence, during the travel of the cam track follower I6I around the first revolution of the cam track I42, the cam track I4! is effective for release of a record R from the record support and release mechanism D.

As the cam track follower I6I travels from the inner portion I422 of the cam track I42 to the outer portion I42.I, it not only swings the plate I36 to move the tone arm C inwardly toward the record, but by reason of the receding character of the cam track I42 it permits the spring I59 (see Fig. 12) to exert a pressure .to restore the plate I36 to its normal position with the lug I58 in contact with the base 3I. As the cam track follower I6I approaches the exit opening I49 of the cam track I42, the tone arm C is poised in starting position over the record that has been released for positioning on the turntable as the plate I36 initiated the elevation and retraction of the tone arm C. As the cam track follower [6| is released from the cam disc 55, the spring [59 consummates the restoration of the plate I36 to its normal position and frees the pin 59 from the plate extension I62 so that the tone arm stylus will engage the record. Thereupon the counterweight 58 is eifective as a counterbalance to the weight of the tone arm C forwardly of its support on the post 34, with the resultant light contact of the stylus with the record.

The subj ect matter herein claimed was first disclosed in my application filed December 15, 1949, Serial No. 133,168, now abandoned, of which this case is a division.

I claim:

1. In a phonograph, the combination of a supporting base, a record-supporting turntable journaled for rotation on the base, a motor mounted on the base and connectable to rotate the turntable, a tone arm oscillatingly mounted on the base to traverse a record on the turntable, a

plate mounted intermediately its ends on the base to swing in a horizontal plane on a vertical axis and tilt in a vertical plane on a horizonta1 axis, a cam member associated with the turntable and having a track formed in the face thereof to effect horizontal and vertical movements and provided with peripheral entrance and exit openings, a cam track follower on one end of the plate adapted to traverse the cam track to effect a tilting and swinging of the plate, means on the other end of the plate adapted to engage the tone arm to elevate the same and carry it to starting position when the plate is tilted and swung as a result of engagement of the follower with the cam track, and tripper means actuated by the tone arm as it approaches the limit of its inward movement to shift the plate horizontally to move the cam track follower through the peripheral entrance opening to initiate engagement of the cam track follower with the cam track whereby the plate is actuated by said cam member to return the tone arm to starting position and to eject the cam track follower through the peripheral exit opening.

2. In a phonograph, the combination of a sup- 7 porting base, a record-supporting turntable journaled for rotation on the base, a motor mounted on the base and connectable to rotate the turntable, a tone arm oscillatingly mounted on the base to traverse a record on the turntable, a plate .mounted intermediately its ends on the base to swing in a horizontal plane on a vertical axis and tilt in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis, a cam member associated with the turntable and having a track formed therein and comprising opposite spirals extending inwardly from adjacent open ings on the periphery of said cam member and one underpassing the other substantially opposite their juncture and said peripheral openings adapted to effect horizontal and vertical movement, a cam track follower on one end of the plate adapted to traverse the cam track to effect a tilting and swinging of the-plate, a section of said cam member embodying a portion of the cam track over said underpass being retractible to per mit the cam track follower to traverse the underpass section of the cam track after having traversed the track over said underpass section, means on the other end of the plate adapted to engage the tone arm to elevate the same and carry it to starting position when the plate is tilted and swung as a result of engagement of the follower with the cam track, and tripper means actuated by the tone arm as it approaches the limit of its inward movement to shift the plate to initiate engagement of the cam track follower with the cam track whereby the plate is actuated by said cam member to return the tone arm to starting position.

3. In a phonograph, the combination of a supporting base, a record-supporting turntable journaled for rotation on the base, a motor mounted on the base and connectable to rotate the turntable, a tone arm oscillatingly mounted on the base to traverse a record on the turntable, a plate mounted intermediately its ends on the base to swing in a horizontal plane on a vertical axis and tilt in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis, a cam member associated with the turntable and having a track formed therein and comprising opposite spirals extending inwardly from adjacent openings on the periphery of said cam member and one underpassing the other substantially opposite their juncture and said peripheral openings adapted to effect horizontal and vertical movements, a cam track follower on one end of V the plate adapted to traverse the cam track to effect a tilting and swinging oi the plate, a section of said cam member embodying a portion of the cam track over said underpass being retractible to permit the cam track follower to traverse the underpass section of the cam track after having traversed the track over said underpass section, a spring normally urging said cam member section into position over said underpass, means on the other end of the plate adapted to engage the tone arm to elevate the same and carry to starting position when the plate is tilted and swung as a result of engagement of the follower with the cam track, and tripper means actuated by the tone arm as it approaches the limit of its inward movement to shift the plate to initiate engagement of the cam track follower with the cam track whereby the plate is actuated by said cam member to return the tone arm to starting position.

l. In a phonograph, the combination of a supporting base, a record-supporting turntable journalecl for rotation on the base, a motor connectable to rotate the turntable, a tone arm oscillatingly mounted on the base to traverse a record on the turntable, an singularly-shaped plate journaled on the base on a vertical axis to swing in a horizontal plane, embossments formed on the plate on opposite sides of said journaled connection and slidingly supporting the plate on the base to tilt in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis concurrently with its horizontal swinging, a shouldered ledge and cam track follower formed on the plate at opposite sides of said journaled connection, resilient means normally urging the plate to retract the shouldered ledge and cam track follower, a cam member associated with the turntable and having a track adapted to effect horizontal and vertical movements, tripper means actuated by the tone arm as it approaches the limit of its inward movement to shift the plate to bring the cam track follower into engagement with the cam track whereby the plate is tilted and swung in vertical and horizontal planes, and means on the tone arm adapted to be contacted by the shouldered ledge so as, to retract the tone arm to starting position by the swinging-tilting movement of said plate.

5. In a phonograph, the combination of a supporting base, a record-supporting turntable journaled for rotation on the base, a motor connectable to rotate the turntable, a record-supporting spindle concentrically arranged above the turntable, a rod telescopically arranged on the spindle and extending below the turntable, a pair of vertically-spaced record-engaging elements on the spindle, coacting means on the rod and spindle for effecting an opposite shifting of said elements radially of the spindle during relative movement of the spindle and rod to release records one at a time for positioning on the turntable, a tone arm oscillatingly mounted on the base to traverse a record on the turntable, a plate mounted intermediate its ends on the base to swing in a horizontal planeabout a vertical axis and tilt in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, a cam member on the under side of the turntable having a hub concentrically disposed with respect to the spindle, a vertically-descending cam track formed on the hub with the surface of the track inclined radially upwardly, a second cam track formed on said cam member outwardly of the hub and comprising opposite downwardly-descending spirals extending inwardly from adjacent openings on the periphery of said cam member and one underpassing the other substantially opposite their juncture and said peripheral openings, a cam track follower on the plate adapted to traverse said last-mentioned cam track to effect a tilting and swinging of the plate, a section of said cam member embodying a portion of said last-mentioned cam track over said underpass being retractible to permit the cam track follower to traverse the underpass section of the cam track after having traversed the track in said section, a spring normally urging said cam track section to dispose the cam track therein over the underpass section of said track, means on the outer end of the plate adapted to engage the tone arm to elevate the same and swing it to starting position when the plate is tilted and swung as a result of engagement of the follower with said second-mentioned cam track, tripper means actuated by the tone arm as it approaches the limit of its inward movement to shift the plate to initiate engagement of the cam track follower with said second-mentioned cam track whereby the plate is actuated to return the tone arm to starting position, a detent hinged on the base and connected to the rod, a cam roller with tapered periphery to fit the incline of said first- 14 mentioned cam track mounted on the detent to swing from a normally retracted position into engagement with said first-mentioned cam track, and a finger on the plate for shifting said detent to engage the cam 'roller with said firstmentioned cam during initial movement of the plate whereby the rod is actuated to effect release of a record during return movement of the tone arm.

6. In a phonograph, the combination of a supporting base, a record-supporting turntable journaled for rotation on the base, a motor connectable to rotate the turntable, a tone arm oscillatingly mounted on the base totraverse a record on the turntable, an angularlyshaped plate journaled on the base to swing in a horizontal plane, embossments formed on the plate on opposite sides of the journal connection and slidingly supporting the plate on the base to tilt in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis concurrently with its horizontal swinging, an arcuate shaped extension and a cam track follower formed on the plate at opposite sides of said journal connection, a contiguous shoulder and a groove formed in the extension and disposed radially of the journaled connection, resilient means normally urging the plate to retract the extension and the cam track follower, a cam member associated with the tumtable and having a track adapted to effect hori-. zontal and vertical movements, tripper means actuated by the tone arm as it approaches the limit of its inward movement to shift the plate to bring the cam track follower into engagement with the cam track whereby the plate is tilted and swung in vertical and horizontal planes, and a pin on the tone arm adapted to be contacted by said extension whereby the tone arm is lifted from traversing a record and retracted to a position beyondthe periphery of a record, whereupon said pin becomes seated in said groove so as to return the tone arm to a starting position by the final swinging-tilting action of the plate.

COLIN B. DALE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number i Name Date 1,942,864 La Rue Jan. 9, 1934 2,509,811 Dale May 30, 1950' 

